Two deaths on Skid Row in less than 12 hours; one a confirmed homicide

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — According to LAPD officials, there have been two deaths on Skid Row so far this week.

Richard French, a spokesman for the LAPD, said that on Monday evening around 10:40 p.m., a 51-year-old male was standing near the corner of 6th and San Julian streets when two suspects walked up to him and attempted to rob him. The suspects pushed the man and he lost his balance, falling to the ground and hitting his head on the pavement.

French said paramedics arrived on the scene and pronounced him dead. Officials have ruled this incident a homicide.

The following Tuesday morning around 4:20 a.m. there was another death at 303 E. 5th St., inside the Los Angeles Mission. LAPD Central Division's Det. Al Marengo said two men got into an altercation and one man got the other into a headlock. Five to ten minutes after the altercation the 40-year-old victim collapsed and died.

Police have not ruled this a homicide and are investigating the official cause of death. Marengo said the victim weighed 300 to 400 pounds, which could have been a factor in his death. He added that the LAPD is reviewing video footage and asking for the public's help as they try to locate witnesses.

Blogdowntown will continue to report on these incidences as new details emerge.